Pedometer

ABSTRACT

A compact multifunction pedometer and advertising means includes a computerized calculating function to accurately determine the calorie consumption, distance and the time for exercise duration. Utilizing input data of the user&#39;s height, weight, average stride and desired time period for exercise of walking or running, the pedometer calculates, and if desired displays, the consumed calories as well as the distance traveled and lapsed time of striding or alternatively, the time remaining for a scheduled walking or running session. The calories burned during exercise are accurately determined through calculations based on the individual&#39;s stride and weight data input by the user. The pedometer is extremely compact, has easy to operate function controls and may include a belt clip for ease of use during exercise. The pedometer including surfaces suitable for displaying advertising.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a multifunction pedometer. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a pedometer that includesfunctions to determine the distance traveled, the time elapsed orremaining, and the caloric consumption during the wearer's exercisesession. The present invention also includes surfaces for displayingadvertising.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A variety of pedometers are well known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No.4,322,609 to Kato describes a pedometer which utilizes pendulum typeaction to determine the steps taken by the user. From only thisapproximation, the Kato pedometer then estimates the calories burnedbased only upon the number of repetitions of the pedometer pendulum.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,942, to Bianco describes a pedometerwhich relies upon the individual's input data of stride, age, sex andweight to estimate the distance traveled as well as the calories burned.

What is lacking in the existing art is a calculation and display devicewhich is capable of many concurrent functions. In any exercise regimen,the time of exercise is critical and is directly related to the distancetraveled and the calories burned. Moreover, what is lacking in theexisting art is a device and a method by which the wearer of a pedometermay be continuously advised by means of a visual display as to the timelapsed or remaining for an exercise period, the distance traveled andthe cumulative calories burned during the interval. Having such amultifunction device would enable the user to readily monitor theirexercise regimen and quickly determine the time required to achieve adesired calorie burn. Moreover, the user could easily determine theirprogress in frequent and regular exercising, and if necessary ordesired, alter the pace, time or other variables included therein so asto improve their performance, stamina or other desired physicalcharacteristics. Also missing in the prior art is a pedometer whichserves as an advertising or an advertising devise which is also amulti-function pedometer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention to provide a multifunction devicewhich continuously calculates and displays important numerical valuesfor the wearer to observe during a walking or running exercise regimen.One key feature of the present invention is its calculation functionwhich continually calculates and displays the calories burned by anindividual during walking or running for a desired period of time. Thiscalculation is based upon the calories burned as required to move aparticular mass at a particular speed over the duration of a specifictime interval.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a means and amethod by which the wearer of the invention may continuously monitor hisor her caloric performance during a specified time interval as well asmonitor distance traveled, the time lapsed or alternatively, the timeremaining for such a given time interval.

The objects of this invention are accomplished by incorporating a timingfunction and a caloric consumption calculation within the pedometer,which performs a number of concurrent purposes. First, the timingfunction is utilized to approximate the speed at which the individual iswalking or running by calculating the distance traveled during a timeinterval. This numerical value is then further utilized in the caloricconsumption calculation. Additionally, the timing function is used toinput the total time for which the user wishes to walk or run andthereafter, continuously calculating and displaying the time lapsedduring the exercise period, or alternatively, the time remaining for theduration of the exercise period.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a means andmethod for advertising or promotion by utilizing imprinted advertisingor graphical material on at least one outwardly facing surface of thepedometer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pedometer;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the pedometer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the pedometer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the pedometer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the pedometer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the pedometer of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the pedometer of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the present inventioncontemplates a multifunction pedometer which is compact size and may beeasily used by an individual to monitor and display important criteriaof an exercise program of walking or running. The invention includes anhousing (1), which encloses the electronic components, primarily amicroprocessor. These electronic components, such as the microprocessor,calculate the calories burned over time, the elapsed time and the timeremaining for a specified time interval. The microprocessor mayincorporate a timer or may be used in conjunction with a timer that isalso enclosed within the pedometer housing (1).

These calculations are determined by calculations based upon the dateinput by the user, which consists of his or her weight, height, stride,and desired time for exercise. Once the stride is input, themicroprocessor calculates the time lapsed or remaining based on asubtraction function. With the input of the user's physicalcharacteristics, the microprocessor will calculate the caloricconsumption based on the calories consumed being equal to the weightmultiplied by the steps taken multiplied by a varying constant. As thewearer's walking or running speed increases, as calculated by the strideover a given time, this varying constant will also increase. Forexample, at a speed of less than 16 steps over 10 seconds, the caloricconsumption formula is:Calories Burned=weight (lbs)×(step for 10 seconds×0.0002268);whereas at a ambulatory speed in excess of 16 steps over 10 seconds, theformula becomes:Calories Burned=weight (lbs)×(step for 10 seconds×0.0005897−0.005715)

A microprocessor to perform calculations such as these is well known tothose skilled in the art.

The preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 further includesa display (2) for which the user may select to display the caloriesburned, distance traveled, time lapsed or time remaining, by pressingthe mode control (3). By selectively and sequentially pressing the modecontrol (3), the start/set button (4) and the input button (5) asdirected by a command sequence, the user can calibrate and initiate thepedometer calculations by inputting his or her weight, height, strideand desired time interval for an exercise period.

The preferred embodiment of the pedometer further includes a belt clip(6), as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-7, to enable the user's hands freeoperation of the pedometer and to permit the pedometer to be positionedat waist or belt level so as to be conveniently yet unobtrusivelylocated during the exercise routine. By sequentially pressing the modecontrol (3), the user may selectively display any of the above describedoutput values, including the distance traveled, the time lapsed, timeremaining or the calories burned since commencing walking or running forthe specific input time period.

1. A pedometer comprising: a set of input controls whereby an individualuser may input data including height, weight and stride in numericalvalues; a power supply; and a microprocessor for calculating the linearambulatory distance traveled by an individual during a specified timeinterval based upon said input data and the mathematical relationshipbetween the stride and distance traveled during the time elapsed, andfor calculating the calories burned by an individual during said timeinterval based upon said input data and the mathematical relationshipbetween said data and caloric consumption, and for calculating the timeremaining for a user's specified time interval based on input commandsof the desired time for exercise as provided by the user.
 2. Thepedometer of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor can continuously displayat least one of the numerical values selected from the group comprisingthe distance traveled during the time elapsed, the calories burned by anindividual during said time interval, and the time remaining for auser's specified time interval.
 3. The pedometer of claim 1 wherein atany point during the specified time interval, the microprocessor cancontinuously display the numerical value corresponding to the distancetraveled during the time elapsed, the calories burned by an individualduring said time interval or the time remaining a for a user's specifiedtime interval.
 4. The pedometer of claim 1 wherein the microprocessorcan continuously calculate and display the elapsed time during aspecified time interval based upon input data provided the user.
 5. Thepedometer of claim 1 wherein the power supply is a battery.
 6. Thepedometer of claim 1 further comprising a belt clip.
 7. The pedometer ofclaim 1 further including printed or graphical imprinting on a surfaceof the pedometer for the purpose of advertising or promotion.
 8. Apedometer comprising: a set of function controls whereby an individualuser may input data including height, weight and stride in numericalvalues; a power supply; a microprocessor for calculating the linearambulatory distance traveled by an individual during a specified timeinterval based upon the input data and the mathematical relationshipbetween the stride and distance traveled over time and for calculatingthe calories burned by an individual during said time interval basedupon the input data and the mathematical relationship between said dataand caloric consumption; and a timer including a timing function forcontinuously calculating the elapsed time during a specified timeinterval and for continuously calculating the time remaining for aspecified time interval based upon input commands provided the user. 9.The pedometer of claim 8 wherein the power supply is a battery.
 10. Thepedometer of claim 8 further comprising a belt clip.
 11. The pedometerof claim 8 further including printed or graphical imprinting on asurface of the pedometer for the purpose of advertising or promotion.12. A method of advertising or promotion comprising the imprinting ofprinted or graphical material on a surface of pedometer which has: a setof input controls whereby an individual user may input data includingheight, weight and stride in numerical values; a power supply; and, amicroprocessor for calculating the linear ambulatory distance traveledby an individual during a specified time interval based upon said inputdata and the mathematical relationship between the stride and distancetraveled during the time elapsed, and for calculating the caloriesburned by an individual during said time interval based upon said inputdata and the mathematical relationship between said data and caloricconsumption, and for calculating the time remaining for a user'sspecified time interval based on input commands of the desired time forexercise as provided by the user.
 13. A method of advertising orpromotion comprising the imprinting of printed or graphical material ona surface of pedometer which has: a set of function controls whereby anindividual user may input data including height, weight and stride innumerical values; a power supply; a microprocessor for calculating thelinear ambulatory distance traveled by an individual during a specifiedtime interval based upon the input data and the mathematicalrelationship between the stride and distance traveled over time and forcalculating the calories burned by an individual during said timeinterval based upon the input data and the mathematical relationshipbetween said data and caloric consumption; and a timer including atiming function for continuously calculating the elapsed time during aspecified time interval and for continuously calculating the timeremaining for a specified time interval based upon input commandsprovided the user.